Antiproliferative effects of Paris polyphylla Sm. methanolic extract on A549 human lung cancer cells

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of lung cancer cases, with limited treatment efficacy and high toxicity. Paris polyphylla Sm. (PPS), a Himalayan medicinal plant, contains bioactive steroidal saponins with reported anticancer properties. Objective: To evaluate the antiproliferative effects of PPS methanolic extract on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: PPS rhizomes were collected from Nepal (1741 m altitude), authenticated [National Hebarium and Plant laboratories (KATH) Herbarium], and Soxhlet-extracted with methanol. A549 cells were treated with PPS extract (15.625–250 µg/mL) for 12–48 h. Cell viability was assessed via CCK-8 assay, and IC50 was calculated. Statistical analysis used one-way ANOVA (SPSS v16.0). Results: PPS extract significantly inhibited A549 proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition (42.13% ± 0.33, p<0.01) occurred at 250 µg/mL (48 h), with IC50 of 373.08 µg/mL. Positive control (20 µg/mL fluorouracil) showed 82.27% inhibition. Conclusion: PPS methanolic extract exhibits potent antiproliferative activity against NSCLC cells, supporting its potential as an adjuvant therapy. Further mechanistic and in vivo studies are warranted. Keywords: Paris polyphylla Sm, lung cancer, A549 cells, antiproliferation, medicinal plants, natural products, Nepal